Cord wrap hang tab

ABSTRACT

The present solution provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for storing an item including a cord.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/699,630, filed Sep. 11, 2012, entitled “CORD WRAP HANG TAB,”which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to the field of packaging.More specifically, the present application relates to the integration ofpackaging components and functional components.

BACKGROUND

Consumers generally discard the packaging components of retail productsonce the items contained in the packing components are retrieved.Accordingly, such packaging components typically represent waste whenthey have completed their function of maintaining a product throughshipment, delivery, display, and purchase.

Certain aspects of the packaging are typically geared towards specificfunctions throughout the initial pre-purchase phases. A significantnumber of retail products include packaging components that provide aparticular function during the display process. For example, becausesome retail products are designed to hang from a rail, bracket, or rodconnected to a peg board, or other vertical rack, the packaging willinclude a structure that permits the item to hang from the rail, bracketor rod, while remaining in a particular display orientation. The portionof the packaging that facilitates this function is sometimes referred toas a hang tab. While some packaging components such as the box may findextended uses beyond the purchase phase, for example as a container,packaging components such as a hang tab represent components withparticularly low utility and are generally representative of a wastecomponent post purchase.

SUMMARY

The inventors have appreciated that designing and implementing a hangtab or tag in a particular fashion provides innovative utility andfunctionality and consequentially reduces waste and packaging costs.Additionally, the inventors have appreciated that such an item may alsoalert and emphasize to a purchaser of a product of an accessorycomponent.

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure is directed toapparatuses, systems and methods that provide a cord wrap hang tab. Inexemplary inventive embodiment provides an apparatus for displaying andstoring an item. The apparatus includes a container configured to retainan item. The apparatus further includes a hang tab coupled to thecontainer. The hang tab has a body portion having an aperture disposedtherein. The aperture in the body portion of the hang tab is configuredto receive a cantilevered rail of a retail display board. The hang tabfurther includes first and second recessed regions disposed on opposingsides of the body portion of the hang tab. The hang tab also includes asupport region configured for removably coupling the hang tab with thecontainer.

The support region may include a flange extending from the recessedregion. The flange may be wider than the hang tab body portion. Theflange may be orthogonal to the hang tab body portion.

The hang tab body may be oval shaped. The flange may be oval shaped.

The support region may include an aperture.

The apparatus may include a rotatable coupling. The apparatus mayinclude a bushing rotatably coupling the support region of the hang tabwith the container, which bushing may be flanged.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include configured to attach tothe support region. The container may include a channel configured toattach to the support region.

The support region may include an aperture including an opening. Theopening may be narrower than another region in the aperture.

In some embodiments, the recess in the body portion may include a pinchpoint.

In some embodiments a pinch point may be disposed in a body portion ofthe hang tab.

The support region may be integral with the aperture in someembodiments.

The aperture may include a central indentation shaped to receive a roundrod.

In some embodiments, the hang tab body is double wishbone shaped.

In some embodiments, the hang tab body is X-shaped.

In some embodiments, the hang tab body is L-shaped.

The recessed region may be removably coupled to the hang tab body, inaccordance with some embodiments.

In accordance with some embodiments, the aperture is triangular.

Another exemplary inventive embodiment provides apparatus for storingearphones. The apparatus includes a body portion having an aperturedisposed therein. The aperture is configured to receive a bracket of aretail display board. The body portion includes first and secondrecessed regions disposed on opposing sides of the body portion. Theapparatus may also include a flange extending from the body portion atthe recessed region in accordance with some embodiments.

Another exemplary inventive embodiment provides a method of storingearphones. The method includes opening a container including theearphones stored therein, uncoupling a hang tab from the container,which hang tab includes a plurality of recessed regions, and wrapping acord of the earphones in the recessed regions.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings primarily are forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of theinventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated orenlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of differentfeatures. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer tolike features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similarelements).

FIG. 1 demonstrates a cord wrap hang tab coupled to a package containingwired ear phone in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates the unpacking of earphones from a containerincluding a cord wrap hang tab in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3G provide various views of a cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4G show various views of a oval shaped cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5H depict various views of a snap-off cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate various views of a rotating cord wrap hang taband a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7G provide various views of a folding cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8F show various views of another folding cord wrap hang tab anda packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate various views of a double wishbone shaped cordwrap hang tab and a packaging container in accordance with inventiveembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10G provide various views of an X-shaped cord wrap hang taband a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11H provide various views of foldable cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12E provide various views of another foldable cord wrap hangtab and a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13H provide various views of a curved cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, inventive systems, methods and apparatusfor protecting a source of visual information and particularlyelectronic sources of visual information. It should be appreciated thatvarious concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail belowmay be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the disclosed conceptsare not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples ofspecific implementations and applications are provided primarily forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 1 demonstrates a cord wrap hang tab coupled to a package containingwired ear phones in accordance with inventive embodiments. Cord wraphang tab 101 is depicted in the illustrated embodiment extending fromthe top of container 110. Container 110 in the illustrated embodiment isa retail container for holding and displaying a pair of wired or cordedearphones 111. The cord wrap hang tab 101 may be used to store a pair ofear phones such as ear phones 111. Cord wrap hang tab 101 includes anupper portion including a hanging aperture 102. In the illustratedembodiment, hanging aperture 102 is triangular shaped and is configuredto maintain the package in a central and upright configuration when hungfrom a rod or bracket extending in a cantilevered manner from a retaildisplay board. As demonstrated herein, the hanging aperture may beimplemented in other shapes, which may be implemented to increase theversatility of rods, brackets, or other extensions from which the tabmay extend. Cord wrap hang tab 101 also includes recesses 103 which arepositioned bilaterally with respect to a central axis extending from thetop of tab 101 to the bottom portion. As demonstrated further herein,recesses 103 permit a cord such as the cord of earphones 111 to becompactly attached to hang tab 101 for easy transportation and storageduring or after use of the earphones. Tab 101 further includes ashoulder portion 104. Shoulders 104 are wider than recess 103 andprovide a support region for container 110, in accordance with variousembodiments. Tab 101 may be composed of plastic and may be formed byinjection molding, in accordance with various inventive embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates the unpacking of earphones from a containerincluding a cord wrap hang tab in accordance with inventive embodiments.Container 210, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is a container for retaildisplay of ear phones or buds 211. Container 210 may be composed of avariety of materials and may include clear panels so that the ear phonescan be seen when the container is in a closed configuration. Thecontainer may also be composed of flexible and/or rigid materials. Cordwrap hang tab 201 is removably coupled to container 210 such thatcontainer 210 can be hung from a rack or bracket, via aperture 202disposed in an upper region of tab 201. Once the package is opened asshown in FIG. 2B, hang tab 201 may be removably uncoupled from container210. In some embodiments, container 201 may be folded into sections andmay be unfolded to uncoupled tab 201 from the container. In otherembodiments, the container may be formed with tab 201 such that removingthe tab requires cutting the container. Tab 201 and 210 may be composedof different material in some embodiments. In other embodiments, tab 201and 210 may be composed of the same material. In yet other embodiments,package 210 and tab 201 may be formed separately and tab 201 may beinserted into an aperture in container 210, which aperture may includeflexible, but resilient tabs which permit the insertion of tab 201 butconformably fit to recessed region 203 of tab 201 such that container210 hangs on shoulders 204 of container 210. In yet further embodiments,tab 201 may be attached to container 210 by an adhesive, which may beremovable from tab 201 when the tab is detached from container 210.

As shown in FIG. 2C, once tab 201 is removed from container 210 and theheadphones 211 are also removed from the container, the cord ofheadphones 211 may be wrapped around the recessed portion 203 of thehang tab. Accordingly, tab 201 provides a useable portion of the displayand packaging materials, which has utility as a compact means of storingthe headphones in a tangle free manner. In some embodiments, tab 201 mayinclude a key chain ring 212 for removably attaching tab 201 to a user'skey.

FIGS. 3A-3G provide various views of a cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG. 3Ashows a perspective view of a combined cord wrap hang tab 301 andcontainer 310. Hang tab 301 includes a hanging aperture 302 and alsoincludes pinch points 305, which may be implemented for cord managementto provide additional directional control to a cord wrapped aroundrecesses 303. For example, pinch points 305 may be used to direct theend of a cord or each cord extending to an earphone speaker. FIG. 3Bprovides a front view of the combined cord wrap hang tab 301 andcontainer 310. As shown in FIG. 3B, shoulder 304 of hang tab 301 remainsbelow a surface, such as upper surface 311 of container 310. Asdemonstrated in FIG. 3E, which provides a top view of hang tab 301,shoulder 304 may be wider than upper portion 306 in accordance withvarious embodiments. Surface 311 includes an aperture disposed therein.The aperture may be sized to allow upper portion 306 of tab 301 to passwhile preventing shoulder 304 from passing through it in accordance withvarious embodiments. FIG. 3C provides a perspective view of the cordwrap hang tab detached from container 310. FIG. 3D provides a front viewof hang tab 301. FIG. 3F provides a bottom view of hang tab 301. FIG. 3Gprovides a side view of hang tab 301.

FIGS. 4A-4G show various views of a oval shaped cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG. 4Ashows a perspective view of a combined cord wrap hang tab 401 andcontainer 410. Hang tab 401 includes an aperture 402 configured forhanging the tab on a rack or rod. Aperture 402 includes an indentation408 that maintains tab 401 centrally on a single rod structure, but isalso wide enough to permit a wider flattened rack or two prong rod toextend there through. Hang tab 401 also includes recessed regions 403disposed on opposite sides of tab 401. As shown in FIG. 4B, likeshoulder 304 of tab 301, shoulder 404 of hang tab 401 remains below asurface, such as upper surface 411 of container 410. As demonstrated inFIG. 4E, which provides a top view of hang tab 401, shoulder 404 may behave an oval shape similar to upper portion 406 in accordance withvarious embodiments. Shoulder 404 provides a base, which in addition tosupporting container 410 on an upper surface of shoulder 404, allows tab401 to stand upright when removed from container 410 when placed on thebottom surface 407 of shoulder 404 shown in bottom view, FIG. 4F. FIG.4C provides a perspective view of the cord wrap hang tab detached fromcontainer 410. FIG. 4D provides a front view of hang tab 401. FIG. 4Gprovides a side view of hang tab 401.

FIGS. 5A-5H depict various views of a snap-off cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG. 5Aprovides a perspective view of snap-off tab 501 coupled to container510. FIG. 5B provides a front view of snap-off cord wrap hang tab 501coupled to container 510. As demonstrated in perspective view FIG. 5C,snap off cord wrap hang tab 501 is presented in an 1-shapedconfiguration in the illustrated embodiment. FIG. 5. The upper portionof hang tab 501 includes a hang aperture 502, the lower portion or footportion 504 of the hang tab 501, is configured for supporting container510 and is also configured for cord management via recessed regions 503.Regions 503 are circular and include a bottlenecked opening 505 to allowthe cord to be placed within the recess but prevent a plurality ofwrapped portions from inadvertently unraveling. FIG. 5D furtherillustrates how cord wrap hang tab 501 may be configured to allow footportion 504 to break-away or snap off. FIG. 5E provides a front view ofhang tab 501. FIG. 5F provides a top view of hang tab 501 anddemonstrates an embodiment where foot portion 504 may be substantiallythe same width as upper portion 506 in accordance with variousembodiments FIG. 5G provides a bottom view of hang tab 601. FIG. 5Hprovides a side view of hang tab 501.

FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate various views of a rotating cord wrap hang taband a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG.6A illustrates cord wrap hang tab 601 rotatably coupled to container 610in an upward orientation. Hang tab 602 includes a hanging aperture 602.FIG. 6B illustrates cord wrap hang tab 602 rotated 180 degrees withrespect to container 610 from the orientation illustrated in FIG. 6A.FIG. 6C provides a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A.FIG. 6D shows the cord wrap hang tab 601 uncoupled from container 610.As illustrated in FIG. 6D, hang tab 601 includes an aperture 605 forreceiving the double flanged bushing 606. Bushing 606 may be composed ofplastic, metal, or other materials. The aperture may be disposed inupper region of tab 601 or may be disposed in the cord wrapped region,as shown adjacent to recesses 603. Shoulder 604 in the illustratedembodiment is not employed to support container 610, but still assistswith cord management and prevents a cord wrapped around tab 601 fromsliding out of recesses 603. FIG. 6F provides a front view of hang tab301. FIG. 6G provides a top view of hang tab 601 and demonstrates anembodiment where foot portion 604 may be substantially the same width asupper portion 606 in accordance with various embodiments FIG. 6Hprovides a bottom view of hang tab 601. FIG. 61 provides a side view ofhang tab 601.

FIGS. 7A-7G provide various views of a folding cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG. 7Aillustrates a cord wrap hang tab 701 including a hanging aperture 701and recesses 703. As shown in FIG. 7B, container 710 includes a foldableflap 711 wrapped through hanging aperture 702. Foldable flap 711 allowstab 701 to be folded flush with container 710, which permits compactpackaging for packaging, shipping, and storing. FIG. 7C provides a frontview of tab 701 and container 710. Foldable flap 711 is illustratedextending through aperture 702. FIG. 7D shows tab 701 uncoupled fromcontainer 710. As illustrated in front view 7E, tab 701 may include anadditional aperture 704 configured for receiving a key chain. Theaperture is disposed near an edge of the tab such that a key chain ringwith minimal expandability is still able to open wide enough to engagethe tab via aperture 704. FIG. 7F provides a top view of hang tab 701.FIG. 7G provides a side view of hang tab 701.

FIGS. 8A-8F show various views of another folding cord wrap hang tab anda packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIGS.8A-8B illustrate an embodiment that permits a cord wrap hang tab, suchas tab 801 to fold flat with a container such as container 810, even inthe absence of a folding flap. Container 810 includes a raised loop 811for coupling tab 801 with container 810. Tab 801 includes a firsthanging aperture 802 for hanging from a retail rack, and a secondhanging aperture 804 for hanging from container 801. Apertures 802 and804 may be identically sized apertures in some embodiments. Tab 801 alsoincludes recessed regions 803 for cord management in accordance withinventive embodiments. FIG. 8C provides a perspective view of tab 801.FIG. 8D provides a front view of tab 801. FIG. 8E provides a top view oftab 801, and FIG. 8F provides a side view of tab 801.

FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate various views of a double wishbone shaped cordwrap hang tab and a packaging container in accordance with inventiveembodiments. FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate double wishbone shaped cord wraphang tab 901 coupled to container 910 in accordance with variousinventive embodiments. Container 910 includes a channel 911 configuredto coupled tab 901 to container 910, via hanging aperture 902 disposedin tab 901. Tab 901 is configured for receiving a cord in recess 903 ofeach wishbone prong. As illustrated in FIGS. 9C-9F, one or moreextension of tab 901 may include a pinch point 904 to further facilitatecord management.

FIGS. 10A-10G provide various views of an X-shaped cord wrap hang taband a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate X-shaped double wishbone shaped cord wrap hangtab 1001 coupled to container 1010 in accordance with various inventiveembodiments. Container 1010 includes a channel 1011 configured tocoupled tab 1001 to container 1010, via hanging recess 1003 formed bytwo legs of X-shaped tab 1001. A second identical recess 1002 is formedvia two arms of X-shaped tab 1001 for hanging of tab 1001 on a flattenedwide bracket or looped wire rod wider than opening between the two armsof tab 1001. Tab 1001 is configured for receiving a cord in recesses1002 and 1003. As illustrated in FIGS. 10C-10E, one or more pinch points1004 may be disposed in tab 1001 to further facilitate cord managementas discussed herein in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIG. 10Fprovides a top view of tab 1001 and FIG. 10G provides a side view of tab1001.

FIGS. 11A-11H provide various views of foldable cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIGS.11A-11H illustrate foldable cord wrap hang tab 1101 coupled to container1110 in accordance with various inventive embodiments. Tab 1101 includestwo trapezoidal like sections, with curved corners that are foldablyconnected to one another via flexure 1105. Tab 1101 further includesfoot or base portion 1104 that is sectioned into three parts in theillustrated embodiment. Foot portion 1104 of the hang tab 1101, isconfigured for supporting container 1110 and is also configured for cordmanagement via recessed regions 1103. Tab 1101 also includes a hangingaperture 1102, extending through each trapezoidal portion of tab 1101.In the illustrated embodiment, hanging aperture 1102 is triangularshaped and is configured to maintain the package in a central andupright configuration when hung from a rod or bracket extending in acantilevered manner from a retail display board. FIG. 11B shows tab 1101being transitioned from an unfolded state to a folded state. FIG. 11Cprovides a front view of tab 1101. FIG. 11D provides a bottom view oftab 1101 in a folded state. FIG. 11F provides a bottom view of tab 1101in an unfolded state. FIG. 11G provides a side view of tab 1101 in anunfolded state. As illustrated in FIG. 11G and 11H one side of tab 1101may include a protrusion 1107 configured to engage an aperture 1106 onthe opposing side of the tab when in the folded state to maintain thetab in the folded state.

FIGS. 12A-12E provide various views of another foldable cord wrap hangtab and a packaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments.FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate foldable cord wrap hang tab 1201 coupled tocontainer 1210 in accordance with various inventive embodiments. Tab1201 includes two trapezoidal like sections, with curved corners thatare foldably connected to one another via flexure 1205. While Tab 1201in FIGS. 12A-12E is configured for foldable engagement where the twotrapezoidal sections sit flush and parallel with respect to one another,tab 1201 provides a configuration where the two trapezoidal sections ofthe tab may remain spaced apart when flexure 1205 is bent. Tab 1201further includes foot or base portion 1204 that is sectioned into threeparts in the illustrated embodiment. Foot portion 1204 of the hang tab1201, is configured for supporting container 1210 and is also configuredfor cord management via recessed regions 1203. Tab 1201 also includes ahanging aperture 1202, extending through each trapezoidal portion of tab1201. In the illustrated embodiment, hanging aperture 1202 is triangularshaped and is configured to maintain the package in a central andupright configuration when hung from a rod or bracket extending in acantilevered manner from a retail display board. FIG. 12B shows tab 1201in an unfolded state as compared to the folded configuration illustratedin FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C illustrates a front view of tab 1201 and showsapertures 1206 of tab 1201 which are configured to receive flaredprojections 1207 of tab 1201. FIG. 12D provides an unfolded side view oftab 1201 and FIG. 12E shows a folded bottom view of tab 1201.

FIGS. 13A-13H provide various views of a curved cord wrap hang tab and apackaging container in accordance with inventive embodiments. FIGS.13A-13H illustrate foldable cord wrap hang tab 1301 coupled to container1310 in accordance with various inventive embodiments. Tab 1301 furtherincludes foot or base portion 1304. Foot portion 1304 of the hang tab1301, is configured for supporting container 1310 and is also configuredfor cord management via recessed regions 1303. Tab 1301 also includes ahanging aperture 1302, extending through each curved portions of tab1301. In the illustrated embodiment, hanging aperture 1302 is triangularshaped and is configured to maintain the package in a central andupright configuration when hung from a rod or bracket extending in acantilevered manner from a retail display board. As illustrated in FIGS.13D and 13G, providing side views of tab 1301, the curved sections maybe separated at the top in a wish-boned shaped manner. FIG. 13E providesa top view of tab 1301 and FIG. 13H provides a bottom view of tab 1301.As shown in FIGS. 13E and 13H, foot 1304 may be wider than section 1301in accordance with various embodiments.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed without restricting the scope of these features to the precisenumerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should beinterpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and areconsidered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joiningof two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining maybe stationary or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved withthe two members or the two members and any additional intermediatemembers being integrally formed as a single unitary body with oneanother or with the two members or the two members and any additionalintermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may bepermanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differaccording to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations areintended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. It is recognizedthat features of the disclosed embodiments can be incorporated intoother disclosed embodiments.

It is important to note that the constructions and arrangements of cordwrap hang tab apparatuses or the components thereof as shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement ofthe various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

All literature and similar material cited in this application,including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles,books, treatises, and web pages, regardless of the format of suchliterature and similar materials, are expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety. In the event that one or more of theincorporated literature and similar materials differs from orcontradicts this application, including but not limited to definedterms, term usage, describes techniques, or the like, this applicationcontrols.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, ofwhich at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as partof the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly,embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an orderdifferent than illustrated, which may include performing some actssimultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrativeembodiments.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

The claims should not be read as limited to the described order orelements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made by one of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

1. An apparatus for displaying and storing an item, the apparatuscomprising: a container configured to retain an item; and a hang tabcoupled to the container, the hang tab having a body portion having anaperture disposed therein, the aperture configured to receive a bracketof a retail display board, the hang tab further including first andsecond recessed regions disposed on opposing sides of the body portion,the hang tab including a support region configured for removablycoupling the hang tab with the container.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the support region includes a flange extending from therecessed region.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theflange is wider than the hang tab body.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the flange is orthogonal to the hang tab body.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hang tab body is ovalshaped.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flange isoval shaped.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supportregion includes an aperture.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a rotatable coupling.
 9. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a bushing rotatably coupling the supportregion of the hang tab with the container.
 10. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the container includes a loop configured to attachto the support region.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe container includes a channel configured to attach to the supportregion.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supportregion includes an aperture including an opening.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the opening is narrower than anotherregion in the aperture.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe recess includes a pinch point.
 15. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein the body portion includes a pinch point.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the support region is integral with theaperture.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apertureincludes a central indentation shaped to receive a round rod.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hang tab body is doublewishbone shaped.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thehang tab body is X-shaped.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the hang tab body is L-shaped.
 21. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein recessed region is removably coupled to the hang tabbody.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aperture istriangular.
 23. An apparatus for storing earphones, the apparatuscomprising: a body portion having an aperture disposed therein, theaperture configured to receive a bracket of a retail display board, thebody portion including first and second recessed regions disposed onopposing sides of the body portion, a flange extending from the bodyportion at the recessed region.
 24. A method of storing earphones, themethod comprising opening a container including the earphones storedtherein; uncoupling a hang tab from the container, the hang tab includeda plurality of recessed regions; and wrapping a cord of the earphones inthe recessed regions.